FAA will test smart cards

The Federal Aviation Administration will dole out more than 50,000 smart cards to employees and contract workers for a Transportation Department pilot.

FAA will release a request for proposals for the pilot within a couple of weeks, FAA spokeswoman Tammy Jones said.

Agency and contract employees will use the cards for building and systems access, Jones said.

Initially, the cards will carry holograms for identification but eventually will use biometrics, she said. FAA will determine the final technology for use agencywide after finishing the pilot early next year.

The Aviation Security Act requires DOT to develop a universal transport worker ID system. Ultimately, all Transportation employees and contractors will use the cards.

Through the project, FAA wants to standardize the process of issuing badges, reduce background investigation turnaround times and eliminate the use of multiple IDs, Jones said.